Hey everyone! I apologize for not updating as quickly as I originally intended to, but I noticed that this chapter was waaaaaay too long so I had to break it into two parts, sorry about that. I hope everyone's week/weekend is going well and I know that a lot of us are going back to school soon, so I will try to update/write as fast I can. Happy reading! Read and Review! :)

P.S: I do not own Samurai Champloo *sigh* I only own any of the characters I made for this fan fiction.

Chapter 2 Part 1

The normal turned exciting day was wearing on Akahana. After receiving the touching gift and the permission of her uncle to go on her journey, she hastily returned to work to finish out her punishment that her boss spat at her once Jin was out of ear shot. When her cousin and her caught each other's gazes she gave him a glare for getting her in trouble. The Old Goblin made her sweep the entire dojo, wash the walls, fold the finished laundry and put them away in their respective places, and also made her wipe down the inside wooden floors and the outside ones as well. Least to say she was beyond exhausted. She felt like collapsing on the hard ground after throwing the dirty rag into the wash bucket. By then, the sun was making it's decent into the never-ending horizon. The grey sky was cleared by mid day and the afternoon sun turned the hazy blue into a deep shades of orange and violet. She got up from her hands and knees and stretched out every muscle and tried to pop every bone that caused her body to go stiff from the work she has done. I curse the day my stupid cousin was born she thought with cinched brows and a frown. She grabbed her work supplies and walked to the closet to put them away. When it was lunchtime, the little rice bowl and grilled meat did not stop her rumbling belly from wanting more plus the sour look that the Old Goblin gave made her feel awkward so she just ate quickly and returned to work until she completed every task.

She craned her neck back and forth to alleviate some of the pressure. Akahana closed the closet door before finding her uncle walking up towards her. "It's time to go home. Are you ready?"

She nodded in response and walked to join him on the trek home. When they reach the gate, Toshiro was already there, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. She greeted him with a frown and a smack to the head.

"You idiot! I had to pay for your silly antics! Why can't you just leave me alone you string bean!" Akahana punched his shoulder before he bared his teeth.

"Who are you calling a string bean?! You are no looker yourself!" He shook his head, his ego was clearly bruised.

"Who was the one who started the fight?! I was minding my business before you threw the stupid sword at me!" She yelled back.

"You looked bored, so I thought it would brighten your day!" There was annoyance in his words and he gave a sigh before he rubbed the sore spot where she punched him.

"God, you are so annoying," Akahana huffed before smacking his head again.

"At least I don't have something up my butt that prevents me from having fun," He grumbled as he walked along.

"What did you say?!" Akahana turned to her cousin with a scowl and her fist was raised, "You son of a —"

"Enough, both of you," A stern voice said. "You both are acting like small children." Jin told them as they looked at him and glared daggers at one another.

"He started it! None of this would happen if he did as he was told!" She pointed an accusing finger at Toshiro.

"I'm ending it and that is final," Jin said with annoyance in his voice. It annoyed him to no end when his son and niece were bickering for stupid reasons. He had have enough of the name calling and foul language. Even though he was accustomed to the noise level and can easily tune it out, he did not like the tense atmosphere that it created.

The pair shushed up from their older relative and continued walking home without saying another word.

Later on that evening

"Jin, you cannot let her go on this journey, it's dangerous out there without a male companion," Shino said with worry. She looked at her husband to search for any emotion.

"Akahana has the ability to take care of herself, she is very skillful with a sword in her hand," He replied back. He sat on his knees with his palms pressed gently against his thighs and sat opposite from his wife.

"I know she is skillful, but she has never killed, much less harm, anyone on the other side of the blade," Shino moved next to husband and took ahold of his arm. "I don't want her to see that side of the world. The harsh, cruel, world that is not safe for someone like her." Shino raised a hand to her husband's cheek to make him face her and see the worry in her eyes. His dark eyes just stared back hers.

"I have to let her go," Jin said to his wife who was staring at him with her chocolate eyes with an unsaid tone to his voice. Shino just nodded in understanding. "I'll agree if she takes Toshiro for added assistance."

Before the final agreement of the two adults, at dinner a nervous feeling raked through Akahana as she waited for the perfect moment to tell the news to the rest of her family. They all sat around discussing various points of their day as she just sat there listening. She felt an arm jabbed her forearm.

"What's the matter with you?" Hiroki whispered as he leaned closer to the table.

"Nothing, I am just exhausted from today, no need to worry," she gave her cousin a small smile.

At the same time, her aunt and youngest cousin came out with their dinner and set it on the table. Everyone started to serve themselves and the chatter continued on as the food was eaten. Akahana just focused on her reeling mind as she ate without a word. Todashi just eyed her the whole time.

Today's the day

"I have something important to tell everyone," Akahana blurted out. The murmur of conversation died down and all their eyes were focused on her form. She gulped back the nervous lump in her throat as she set down her bowl. "I have come to a decision long ago, before I was old enough to make one on my own. I have already gotten uncle's permission to make that decision a reality." She looked from one person to the other before continuing on.

Shino put her bowl down and glanced at her husband's stoic face before looking back at her niece.

"I am going on a journey to find my father." Everyone's expressions where in shock but managed to keep their mouths closed as they did not know if she was finished or not. Akahana pressed on, "I am not really sure where he is or if he is even alive, but I am going to find him."

When Shino was sure she was finished, she stood up and turned to her husband, "Jin, I need to speak to you in private for a moment." She walked to their bedroom as Jin followed behind.

Akahana's nerves were skyrocketing. Great.

When the two adults were out of earshot, Toshiro whipped his gaze at her, "What do you expect to gain from going on this journey Akahana?"

"To get closure with him," She said as calmly as she could with no tremble.

Toshiro just sighed in annoyance and continued to eat, "You may be good with a sword, but you will get killed out there."

She continued to eat and ignored his statement. However, she did know that somewhere along her journey it was going to be treacherous and had to be on guard. It did make her a little weary. I can do this.

Dinner was finished by the children with still plenty left for the adults who had not left their room since Akahana shared her news. Akahana decided to busy herself by picking up her cousins empty dishes and setting them in the kitchen's wash basin where they clinked with other dishes. Aimi was sprawled out on the ground sleeping with a low snore. Hiroki went to his shared room to practice his calligraphy. Todashi sat and was polishing his sword. Akahana just sat across from him staring at the wall while her thoughts were reeling.

"I hope you find him," Todashi's voice said as Akahana snapped out of it and looked at him.

"I do too, but whatever happens, happens and there is no fixing that," She looked at him with a straight face.

A door opening could be heard from down the hall. Akahana's back straightened and she awaited to hear the news.

"Well, sorry to keep everyone waiting," Shino said in a pleased tone to alleviate the tension in the room. "After a discussion about your news Akahana, I also give my blessing for you to go on this journey," She gave her niece a smile in reassurance.

Akahana's lips went from a straight line to that of a grin full of happiness. She could not believe that her journey was being put into motion. She got up and hugged both her aunt and uncle and thanked them over and over again.

"There is one condition," Jin's voice spoke up. Akahana paused and gave her attention to her uncle.

"Toshiro has to go with you for added protection," He stated. "You may be good by yourself but with his sword , it will provide additional help."

Toshiro stood straight up, "Why do I have to go with her?! I have training to do here and help mother maintain the house, and I am—" Toshiro was cut off by his father putting his hand up.

"This journey will serve as a different form of training and besides I would not allow you both to go if I did not find you ready to utilize your training," Jin spoke.

Toshiro just nodded at his father's request and looked at his cousin who met his gaze and agreed with each other silently.

After the excitement was dying down, Shino went over to their youngest child and picked her up to put her in her bed. Jin went into his study to meditate. Akahana began to pick up the leftover food and put them in portable boxes for saving food. Toshiro went back to his polishing. Akahana's heart was beating fast from all the blessings she has received today and was for sure she was not going to sleep at all. Before exiting the dining room, she reminded Toshiro that they will be leaving in the morning and advised him to pack or he is going to be in hell for the rest of his life.

Her bare feet padded through the hall as she reached her own small room. Once she stepped inside and closed the door behind her, she looked around and thought about how she would not be in this room for months or even a year or two depending on how much time it would take. She went over and grabbed a large bag and began to fill it with necessary items for her journey. She rolled up her yukatas and stuffed them in the bag. She also put a little bag of sewing materials for wardrobe emergencies into the much larger one. Akahana also packed undergarments, soap, and other washing materials, and then she opened one of her vanity drawers to revel a coin purse that was heavy with all the money she saved from her work. She knew that it would help them along their journey if they lived very frugal. Also she laid out her clothes for tomorrow, which was a blue yukata with light blue wave patterns imprinted on the fabric and a dark blue obi with a yellow sash and a red belt. Before going to sleep, she made sure she could carry the bag without it being too heavy, but since she is accustomed to physical labor, heaviness to an extent would not bother her and the bag did not feel heavy once it was secured on her back.

Tomorrow is the starting point

After she doubled check that everything was in place, she was filled with a hint of sadness that she is leaving her family to seek out one that abandoned her. The day her old one left her came into view.

The grey skied day was sinking into a starless sky that engulfed the sun and moon into an inky blackness. Everything was still, no cicadas were chirping their melody, no breeze to lull sleepless persons to sleep, fireflies did not illuminate the forest in an enchanting glow. Just darkness and silence filled the void. The home of a little girl would be abandoned soon enough. She sat in her room before she heard someone walk in to the home. Her little legs jumped up and ran to the entrance to be greeted by her father, who's eyes were sullen and his mouth was in a scowl. She ran to him and hugged his legs as she whimpered, "Daddy, I miss mommy! I want her back!" She hugged him with all her might and prayed really hard as her eyes glistened with tears. Her father just stood there. No reassuring words, no reassuring pat on the back, he just stood still and waited until she let go. When she looked up at him, his grey eyes looked like the life was sucked out of them. His earthy smell was replaced with a harsh sour odor that belongs to the strong wine that he imbibed from time to time. She could not even feel his warmth, just coldness. It was like she was looking at an empty shell that once belonged to her father. "Daddy, are you okay?" She blinked as she tugged on his dark haori. She gasped when he caught her wrist. "I have ta go for a while," He growled out as he turned and pulled her along with him. She did not question him. "Can I come too?" She asked but was received with no reply, only silence as they walked along the dirt path that was impossible to see in the darkness. She noticed that a sword was strapped to his back and he did not even look at her. After an hour of walking in the dark, they came across a home that was familiar to her. Since her eyes were adjusted to the darkness, she saw a two figures standing in front. "Why are we at auntie and uncle's house?" He still did not reply back but his grip on her wrist tightened a bit. When she was in front of her aunt and uncle, she was relieved that they were not leaving their home forever, but was a little scared of her father and her little body gave off a little tremble in fear. Her father kind of shoved her into their arms and turned his back towards her. "Goodbye," he mumbled and took off running into the trees. She cried out for her father to come back and even tried to break free from her uncle's strong grip but only sank to her knees. Tears were falling freely as she wailed for him to come back. She lost her mother and she did not want to loose him too. Her body was trembling violently from sobbing. Her aunt and uncle just waited until she calmed down. Her glassy eyes looked at the direction he left in and just stared as hot tears dribbled down her small face.

The memory of that night when she was five years old made old tears come freely as they rolled down her cheeks. She smiled sadly and wiped them as she prepared for bed. She made a promise to find him at whatever the cost. Akahana felt both excited and nervous for what might this journey hold for her. Her exhausted eyes finally closed as she dove into a dreamless sleep.

I am so sorry if I made you sad/cry at the end! It will all get better! :)